“If you don't have confidence, you'll always find a way not to win.” ~Carl Lewis

“Optimism means expecting the best, but confidence means knowing how to
handle the worst. Never make a move if you are merely optimistic.”
~
The Zurich Axioms

“Action
is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the
result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the
action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or
adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action
at all."
~Norman Vincent Peale

“Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of
obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance.
Without them it cannot live."
~Franklin D. Roosevelt

"A good leader
inspires others with confidence in him or her; a great leader inspires them with
confidence in themselves."~ Unknown

Keys to Building
Confidence

Never stop
learning
and growing. Become an expert in your field. The more
knowledge or skill you have in any area, the less fear it holds.
The lower your level of ignorance, the more confidence you will
have. The more time you take to think through a situation, the more
capable you will be of dealing with it when it arises.

Get the facts. Pay attention to detail.
Double check everything. Most fear is rooted in
ignorance. The more you know about what you face, the more
courage you will have. The more time you take to think through a
situation, the more capable you will be of dealing with it when it
arises.

Plan for every contingency.Don't get caught unprepared for
unexpected setbacks – it is a mark of weak leadership. Think about
what could go wrong long before it does. Be prepared for unexpected
setbacks and reversals.

Most fear is
rooted in ignorance. The more knowledge
or skill you have in any area, the less fear it holds. So, never stop
learning
and growing. Become an expert in your field. The more you know about what
you face, the more courage and confidence you will have naturally.

Get the facts. Double check everything. Be
prepared for unexpected setbacks and reversals. The more prepared you are,
the more confidence you will have.

That's the main secret of being
a good presenter: you have to be confident to show confidence. You
must be inspired by the deep belief in your cause. To have faith in yourself
and your message, explore all phases of your subject and ask yourself how
your talk will help the audience to get what they want. Careful preparation
provides the solid ground you need to support your self-confidence. Tell
yourself you can do it, that you are more qualified than any member of the
audience to give this particular talk.

Napoleon's courage and confidence was
legendary. How did he build these qualities? Napoleon paid particular
attention to detail. He studied and strived to understand thoroughly every
military situation he ever faced. Napoleon carefully considered and planned
for every contingency. He prepared against every setback or possibility of
defeat he might encounter.